US President Donald Trump speaks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset in Tel Aviv on Monday (October 13). Photo: AP/PTI
'World needs more Trumps': Israel's standing ovation for US President
Hamas released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross , the first to be released as part of a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the devastated Gaza Strip
US President Donald Trump was greeted with a sustained standing ovation by Israeli lawmakers during his address to the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday (October 13), following the release of 20 hostages as part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The parliament’s speaker, Amir Ohana, praised Trump as a “giant of Jewish history” and declared: “The world needs more Trumps.”
In his remarks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited Trump with strong support for Israel—including backing sovereignty over the Golan Heights—and thanked him for facilitating the hostage deal. The agreement also involves the release of Palestinian prisoners, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a partial Israeli withdrawal.
Earlier, Hamas released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross , the first to be released as part of a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the devastated Gaza Strip.
Also read | Israel, Hamas agree to ‘first phase’ of Gaza truce, hostage-prisoner release
There was no immediate information on their condition. Hamas has said 20 living hostages will be exchanged for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Families and friends of hostages broke out into wild cheers as Israeli television channels announced that the hostages were in the hands of the Red Cross. Tens of thousands of Israelis were watching the transfers at public screenings across the country, with a major event being held in Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu declares victory
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory on Sunday as the nation awaits the return of hostages after two years.Also read | Netanyahu can’t win Gaza war by flexing military muscle; two-state policy only fix
“Together we achieved tremendous victories, victories that amazed the whole world... But at the same time I must tell you, the fight is not over,” Netanyahu said. “This is an emotional evening, an evening of tears, an evening of joy, because tomorrow our children will return to our borders,” he added, quoting a biblical verse. Follow below for Live updates:
Live Updates
- 13 Oct 2025 12:48 PM IST
Watch: President Trump lands in Israel
US President Donald Trump has landed in Israel, where he was welcomed by President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His visit coincides with a significant development: the first group of hostages has been handed over to the Israel Defence Forces. The timing of Trump’s arrival underscores Washington’s close engagement with Israel during this critical moment, as both nations navigate the unfolding hostage situation and its broader political and security implications.
- 13 Oct 2025 12:45 PM IST
President Trump lands in Israel as first hostages are freed Monday
US President Donald Trump landed on Monday in Israel to mark the U.S.-brokered ceasefire as Hamas begins releasing Israeli hostages after two years of war.
Air Force One touched down at Ben-Gurion International Airport at 9:42 am after flying over Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, where tens of thousands were gathered, on the way to landing. The flyover came just after the first seven hostages arrived in Israel from Gaza.
Over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners will be released as well
- 13 Oct 2025 11:33 AM IST
1,716 Palestinians expected to be released by Israel: Report
A total of 1,716 Palestinians detained by Israel are expected to be released at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital on Monday, while 250 Palestinians serving life sentences in Israeli prisons will be freed to the West Bank, Jerusalem, and abroad, an official involved in the operation told Reuters.
- 13 Oct 2025 11:32 AM IST
'Waiting, waiting, waiting': Father of hostage set for release
Dani Miran, the father of reportedly freed hostage Omri Miran, says “we are waiting, waiting and waiting,” to be reunited. “People slept at the Hostages Square waiting for the release,” he adds. “They are crazy, but this is the people of Israel.”
- 13 Oct 2025 11:30 AM IST
Trump watches livestream of hostage releases: Report
US President Donald Trump watches a livestream of the ongoing release of Israeli hostages from Gaza while aboard Air Force One as he travels to Israel for a whirlwind visit, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “History in the making,” Leavitt captions an uploaded photo of the livestream taken from aboard the flight and shared on social media.
- 13 Oct 2025 11:28 AM IST
IDF says more hostages expected later on
According to a joint announcement by the IDF and ISA, seven hostages have been handed over to the Red Cross and are en route to Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. The military added that it is prepared to receive additional hostages "later on", as part of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release operation.
- 13 Oct 2025 10:52 AM IST
Hamas hands over first seven hostages
Hamas has handed over the first seven Israeli hostages to the Red Cross. They include Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrist, Omri Miran, Guy Gilboa Dalal, and Alon Ahel.
- 13 Oct 2025 10:47 AM IST
Red Cross launches multi-phase operation to oversee Gaza hostage and prisoner releases
The International Committee of the Red Cross has begun “a multi-phase operation” to oversee the release of hostages and prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire, according to AP.
- 13 Oct 2025 10:46 AM IST
Red Cross convoy en route to collect first hostages from Gaza
A Red Cross convoy is on its way to pick up the first batch of Israeli hostages to be freed by Hamas under the Gaza ceasefire deal, the Israeli military said on Monday.
An army statement said the handover would take place at “a meeting point in the northern Gaza Strip where several hostages will be transferred.”
“The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on,” the statement added, following Hamas’s publication of a list of 20 surviving hostages it intends to release.
- 13 Oct 2025 10:27 AM IST
Here are the 20 Israeli hostages Hamas will release
Palestinian group Hamas on Monday released the names of the 20 Israeli hostages scheduled to be freed under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, reported Reuters.
The names included Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Elkana Bohbot, Maxim Herkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Angrest, Matan Zangauker, Eitan Horn, Eitan Abraham Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavski, Ariel Cunio and David Cunio.
